5 questions: Snow football coach Tyler Hughes

One thing I've always told our kids is that our best football has to be played at the end of the year. We've got to peak at the right time. I learned that from my high school coach, Chris Georgelas.

In his first year as head coach of the Snow College football team, this East High graduate led the Badgers to a 9-3 season. He played wide receiver for Snow in 1999-2000 and has a bachelor's degree from Utah State University. He's been the offensive coordinator since 2005 and in that time has coached seven All-Americans, 29 All-Conference players and placed more than 50 players with NCAA programs. He discussed a few topics with Deseret News reporter Amy Donaldson after Snow's bowl victory.

What's been the toughest adjustment in moving from offensive coordinator to head coach?

The biggest difference is that I have twice as many kids to look after. Everything we try to do at Snow, it's always about our players first. Because of that, I just have to try to find ways to manage my time and get things squared away as best I can so whatever their goals are and whatever they're working on, I can help them.

Has it been tough to delegate offensive duties?

I haven't delegated too much of it. I still call the plays, I still do the film break down for the offensive side of the ball. Certainly our offensive coaches have done a lot to give me a hand. A variety of factors (determine that), but it's just kind of worked out that way this year. We'll see how it goes year to year. The biggest thing, trying to manage the players, the offense. That's been a different deal for me.

Do you have a sports hero or mentor?

Yeah, I do. One thing I've always told our kids is that our best football has to be played at the end of the year. We've got to peak at the right time. I learned that from my high school coach, Chris Georgelas. I played for him at East, and he'd always say, 'Everyone is undefeated at the tournament.' And when we get to these cold weather games, I always love it because it reminds me of when I played high school football and played for him. He's definitely been a huge mentor to me.

My parents. They've always been supportive of me. They're hard working, blue-collar people and they never make excuses for anything. They've certainly made a big impact on me.

What do you hope these boys get out of playing football for you?

I hope they learn that being a good guy is important. Being a good father, when they become fathers, being a good husband, all of those things, are important; that character counts, and finally, that when the going gets tough, as they say, the tough get going. That they'll always be responsive in a positive way to adversity.